Police K-9 helps nab auto thief

STOCKTON - Officers deployed a police dog to help apprehend an auto thief who attempted to flee on foot after crashing a stolen vehicle Friday in north Stockton, authorities said.

The Record

STOCKTON - Officers deployed a police dog to help apprehend an auto thief who attempted to flee on foot after crashing a stolen vehicle Friday in north Stockton, authorities said.

Community Response Team officers and members of the multiagency San Joaquin County gang task force spotted an occupied stolen vehicle about 5:15 p.m. near Morada Lane and Fox Creek Drive, police said. When they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to yield, leading officers on a one-minute pursuit before crashing the vehicle, authorities said.

The man then tried to flee on foot, but he was caught by a police dog, officers said. Victor Voroukoumanh, 25, was arrested on suspicion of evading police resulting in great bodily injury or death, resisting a peace officer, vehicle theft, hit-and-run and attempt to receive stolen property, authorities said.